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New mower for next year

Posted by Paul Woolley on October 31, 2012 at 7:51pm
I have been trading for three years now and have been using a Masport 350ST self propelled mower. The self drive is not working on one wheel now, is expense to repair, and as I plan to increase my customer base next year I am looking to buy a new mower in the end of season sales. Any suggestions? A machine that can handle medium to large lawns but is easily transportable in my Caddy van. I can then use my Masport as back up. I don't want to spend over £500 if I can help it!
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Replies

  • PRO
    Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd October 31, 2012 at 8:12pm
    Etesia Pro46. But you will only find a 2nd hand one with your budget.
  • Paul McNulty October 31, 2012 at 8:15pm

    Wheeled or roller?

    I've never seen "end of season" sales at a proper trade outlet, and you should get far better advice, as well as a better price and after-sales service from a trade specialist.

    Three years is good from that mower, how many hours use do you think it gets per week on average? Viking would be my first suggestion, but the sub-£500 machines are really only designed for domestic use.

  • David Cox October 31, 2012 at 8:22pm

    As above - Anything bellow £500 is going to struggle with Regular commercial amounts of work - and If your looking to grow your business next year---- Seriously think about a budget of £750-£1250 for a good all round mower.

    As nick said An etesia pro46 would be a great all rounder which can cut wet grass etc etc - and you can make it stripe by attaching a rubber mat to the underside of the grass box if nessasary.

    Otherwise go down to your local machine dealer and ask to demo several machines to see what you like!

  • Paul Woolley October 31, 2012 at 8:52pm
    I have been doing about 16hrs mowing per week. I must admit it would be better to offer stripes. Some of the lawns I do are pretty hard going so a wheeled mower is better, your suggestion of the pro46 sounds interesting. I may have to rethink on the budget.
  • Paul Woolley October 31, 2012 at 8:55pm
    Wheeled. I have been receiving email offers from suppliers I have bought from previously. Abbey Garden Sales for one. Green reaper I wouldn't deal with again. I have tried to contact Masport's importer direct also but no reply to my email, so **** em!

    Paul McNulty said:

    Wheeled or roller?

    I've never seen "end of season" sales at a proper trade outlet, and you should get far better advice, as well as a better price and after-sales service from a trade specialist.

    Three years is good from that mower, how many hours use do you think it gets per week on average? Viking would be my first suggestion, but the sub-£500 machines are really only designed for domestic use.

  • PRO
    Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd October 31, 2012 at 9:08pm

    Speak to Etesia and they will probably let you have a demo...(free of charge)....so you can't go wrong!
    Paul Woolley said:
    I have been doing about 16hrs mowing per week. I must admit it would be better to offer stripes. Some of the lawns I do are pretty hard going so a wheeled mower is better, your suggestion of the pro46 sounds interesting. I may have to rethink on the budget.
  • Paul Woolley October 31, 2012 at 9:19pm
    Nick, that's an excellent suggestion thank you

    Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd said:

    Speak to Etesia and they will probably let you have a demo...(free of charge)....so you can't go wrong!
    Paul Woolley said:
    I have been doing about 16hrs mowing per week. I must admit it would be better to offer stripes. Some of the lawns I do are pretty hard going so a wheeled mower is better, your suggestion of the pro46 sounds interesting. I may have to rethink on the budget.
  • Andrew Michael Palmer November 1, 2012 at 7:41am

    just purchased a 2nd hand Honda 536 QXE, ( top of the range Honda ), best investment i've ever made, will do the Olympic stadium, with ease! (I should know I saw two groundsmen using these every night, as i was fire marshalling there few months back)

    £650 ebay, will go on and on and on and on and on, get the drift !

    Andrew

  • Gordon Bowerman November 1, 2012 at 8:44pm

    I have a 22" rover very pleased with it, also run a masport and have had no problems with contacting the distributor in the past.  I wouldnt touch Abbey garden sales with a barge pole have a look at some review sites they have terrible feedback and none existent after sales service.

  • Paul Woolley November 1, 2012 at 9:02pm
    Thanks for the advice Gordon

    Gordon Bowerman said:

    I have a 22" rover very pleased with it, also run a masport and have had no problems with contacting the distributor in the past.  I wouldnt touch Abbey garden sales with a barge pole have a look at some review sites they have terrible feedback and none existent after sales service.

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